University of Reading School of Law
In progress
Algorithmic-Assisted Justice in Nigeria: An Examination of Statutory Compatibility and Judicial Behaviour in AI-augmented Pre-trial Bail Determination
The doctorate examines whether, and on what terms, algorithmic risk-assessment tools could support Nigerian judges at the pre-trial bail stage. It sits inside a larger justice problem: high numbers of pre-trial detainees, and the question of whether judges can legally use AI to reduce that pressure without losing independence or fairness. The work is concerned with statute, procedure, and the behaviour of judges who would have to live with those tools.
Research questions
-
Will the deployment of AI-based risk assessment tools for bail decisions be compatible with Nigeria’s substantive and procedural criminal justice laws?
-
How might judges interact with algorithmic risk assessments in bail decisions, particularly in terms of automation bias, selection bias, and algorithmic aversion?
-
What legal and institutional safeguards are necessary for a procedurally fair deployment of AI risk assessment tools to support judges in Nigeria’s pre-trial bail system?